Red Square ride for charity

Thursday 4th September 2008, 1:00PM BST.

DAVID HODGETTS raised thousands of pounds by taking part in a charity bike ride around Moscow to help sufferers of Down’s syndrome.

Mr Hodgetts (pictured) raised more than £7,000, which was more money than any of the other competitors. At the age of 61, he was the oldest competitor, but still managed to outdo the younger cyclists.

‘I might have been the oldest rider,’ said Mr Hodgetts, ‘but I was passing the 25-year-olds. It just shows what a healthy place Guernsey is.’

The event is made up of routes through the Russian countryside over two days, with a ride into Moscow’s Red Square.

‘We cycled through woods and villages. Some of the route was hilly, but not too hilly. If you could cycle Le Val des Terres, you wouldn’t find this too difficult.’ The cyclists were then cheered into the square.